The United States vowed Thursday to retain close military ties to its European allies after unveiling plans to withdraw more than 11,000 troops from Germany and Italy as part of a strategic shift to Asia. "No one should equate lower numbers of US troops permanently stationed in Europe with declining engagement with our European partners," Pentagon press secretary George Little told reporters.
The details of the troop reduction, which include two Army brigades and two air squadrons, were announced as Defence Secretary Leon Panetta hosted his German counterpart, Thomas de Maiziere, for talks at the Pentagon. Both men endorsed the drawdown at a joint press conference, with Panetta promising the move would not alter Washington's commitment to the Nato alliance.
The Pentagon chief said over 40,000 American troops would remain in Germany and that "the new US defence strategy reaffirms the lasting strategic importance of the trans-Atlantic partnership with Nato allies such as Germany." He added that de Maiziere "understands the necessity of the shifts we are making as we work to implement our new defence strategy while meeting our fiscal responsibilities."
De Maiziere said Germany would still serve a crucial role for US forces and said he could not complain about the Pentagon's downsizing as his own government was carrying out a similar approach for German forces. "I cannot criticise the United States of America for doing something that we ourselves do," he said. He added that the withdrawal of the American unit would have a "moderate" effect on the local economy.
Starting later this year, the US military will start pulling out two US Army brigades, two Air Force squadrons as well as about 2,500 support troops, officials said. The two Army heavy infantry brigades and one of the Air Force squadrons, which flies A-10 "tank killer" aircraft, are currently based in Germany while the second air unit is located in Aviano, Italy.